THEFTS at last year's Latitude Festival were the lowest of any of the country's large-scale music events, new figures have shown.

But organiser Melvin Benn said they would not be getting complacent.

According to latest figures, there were 27 reported thefts at last year's Latitude Festival, which were worth a total of �8,415.

The event, held at Henham Park, near Southwold, had the lowest number of thefts when compared to the UK's other major music events.

At the V Festival in Chelmsford's Hylands Park there were 96 thefts, worth a total of �42,851.

The highest number of 252 – worth �98,473 – were recorded at Glastonbury in Somerset.

Mr Benn said they employed high quality, fully accredited security staff and liaised closely with Suffolk Constabulary to ensure festivalgoers were kept safe.

'One theft is one too many and complacency is just not a factor,' he said. 'There is no room for it in the slightest. Some of my relatives camp at Latitude, some of my friends camp at Latitude – they could just as easily be the victims of a theft as anyone else. I don't take it lightly at all.'

A spokesman for Suffolk police echoed Mr Benn's comments.

'The level of thefts at Latitude over the years has been generally low,' he said. 'However, we will not be complacent.'

He said they would liaise with organisers and security teams both before and during this year's event, while officers would also be on site offering advice.

This year's Latitude Festival is happening from July 14-17. Last year the event was rocked by two allegations of rape, one of which the police are no longer investigating.

The latest figures were released by insurance company Aviva.